Asilomar State Beach 9/1/07

We (MByakker, sackyak, dave, eyeatbay, great bass, sandman) met at Monastery beach at 6:15AM. We chatted about the condition and quickly decided to fish at Asilomar Beach (called “ling spot” by Chris).  AM would not be a good choice.

Launching was gnarly. Everyone made out ok with furious paddling through rocks except me. I caught in a set and got dumped into water.  My 2nd attempt went through. Nothing lost. Thank Chris for picking my floating net (because of pool noodle). South swells exposed every cove. Wind was not bad. Current was swift.

We had fished around holes of kelp beds in front of Moss beach and Pt Joe at 50-70 FOW. Kelps were pretty thick beneath, although they did not surface. We had too many snags if just drifting.

Fishing was very slow. I only got a few bites. Luckily, one of bites was a fat ling (10.5#), which made my day. Wait for other to post pictures of the condition and our catch.

We got a call from Sin Coast around 8:30. Given the surfs were big, they went to other place for fishing. It would be interesting to hear his story.

Landing was tricky. Swells at noon were clearly much bigger than ones in the early morning. My confidence was low.  With sackyak/scott/chris’s coaching from the land (rocks), I followed and landed dry. It was great relief. Thank a ton. Every other met different challenges. Hope they chime in and share their stories. Hint: Most of us took swimming, except one guy.
 
It was the 1st of fishing with Chris and Scott. Nice of meeting you.

Tips: The place is not recommended when there are south swells. Buddy system is needed to help each other. It would not be a good idea to try out alone in the condition like today. Devices (GPS, VHF radio, depth finder) are your friends.

That was a great day of fishing even though the fishing was not so good.  We had a great NCKA crew full of experience and up for an adventure.  While the early wind and swell nixed the plan for Andrew Molera, we hit Asilomar beach for a paddle to Pt. Joe to fish.  While the beach launch was great for surfing we found a rocky cove that allowed about 50% windows between swells to launch we all agreed it was doable and went for it.  I was ready early and was hovering in the still water when I saw an opening and went for it.  I though I was out of the cove and rested for a minute when I noticed a large face approaching I pointed my bow at it and made it over before it broke.  It took the others a while to wait for openings and make it out.

As Eric said the fishing was slllloooooowwww.  I think I caught 5 rockfish all day and only kept two Gophers for my neighbor how told me how much he likes them.  I had a few promising short bites but that was it.

On the way in the swell and waves had clearly increased and some fog was drifting in and out at times completely making the view of land.  The safe landing window was closing and was at about 20% when we made it in.  I just caught up with Scott and Chris when Chris made is attempt to land and got dumped loosing a rod and tackle box.  Chris waited on the rocks as Scott and I waited for our chance.  It was one of those landings where high fives are shared all around each time someone makes it in.  The timing was very tricky and the big sets were near impossible to land safely on.  After a brief moment where we lost communication with Gary (he had capsized landing on the wrong beach to the south).  We guided in a reluctant Eric and then Dave almost made it safely with a broached surf on a wave that snuck up behind him until he started to spin backwards and lost his balance.

After we were all safe we shared laughs and stories and Scott drove around to Pebble Beach to find Gary.

I think the fishing gods were in Eric's favor after his launch dump.  He got the only keeper ling and also had a nice under ling.  While I might brag that I did successfully launch and land, I did not catch many fish and no lings  and I will admit my surf luck was all based on timing  .

It was one of those days where being on the yak and having a fun time really made me feel totally alive and in touch with nature.  I would do it again any time with this crew, the teamwork on the landing with radio communication etc. was great.  While landing was serious business, it was a blast to make it through and I regret I did not have time to take any photos of it because it was entertaining if not funny also.

I do not recommend this spot for beginners  .

Photo of Eric's underling

While the early wind and swell nixed the plan for Andrew Molera,

Guys,
 I went to Mill Creek yesterday and it was flat and calm.
Poor visability with murky, brown water but flat.
North of Pt Sur was crazy with wind and fast moving fog [ as you know] but South of Pt Sur...it stopped.
It was like the beautiful weather reported North at Ft Ross....
Seems like only the nearer areas got hammered by the wind as if the coastline was overrun only in one region.
 Steve.

In the words of Homer Simpson "Doh.!"

nixed the plan for Andrew Molera
OOPS,
 All I ment to say was that they could've done Molera afterall.
It always seem to be another world around the point.
 Steve
 

I'm still extracting sand out of my ears...

Great day, beautiful coast and exciting times.  Good to meet and fish with the NCKA family.  Yeah the fishing was slow and it was a challenge to keep the rigs from snagging up but that's where the fish would be, hanging out in the kelp.

I did catch a 24" ling but released it to grow up some more.  Other than that I had a few short bites.

On the way in I heard the chatter on the radio but didn't see anyone.  I was advised to head north so I paddled parallel to the shore looking for something familiar like trucks with kayak racks.  However, as I was paddling I saw a big swell forming and turned to face it but it broke just before it reached me and I got launched.  I figure I was about 50 yards off the beach.  I managed to right my yak and was about to climb back in when I got hit by another set.  So I decided not to fight it and pushed/surfed my yak in.  

I was on the north end of the beach and had to land in rocks.  The good thing was these rocks were covered with a thick coat of seaweed.  So the damage was limited to a few minor scratches.  The bad thing was it was difficult to walk on and I was getting pounded on by the surf.  Oh yeah there were a gazillion flies and everytime I took a step they would swarm...not a good place to be breathing through your mouth.  Since I didn't go through my normal stowing procedure it was yard sale time.  My donations included one rod/reel, net, tackle box and gaff.  At least my radio worked and more importantly it was working while I was floating on my back in the surf zone.  Scott came by afterwards and picked up my yak.

I saw Dave just off shore right after I "landed" and waved at him to let him know that I was OK.  It looked like he was setting up to land on the beach but then he went north.  I advised him to paddle further off shore so he didn't get surprised by sleeper waves like I did.

For those of you that wondered if waders would pull you under...myth busted.  I floated just fine during my swim to shore and was able to walk around to collect my gear.  First chance I got I sat down and emptied the water from my waders and it was probably a gallon of water.  I always wear a wetsuit under neath my waders so if anything it warmed me up.

Lessons learned, stay close to the locals, be aware of shallow reefs that would turn a swell into a breaking wave and stow gear well before you stage for landing.  

After going though all this I can't wait for the next fishing trip...

Gary

Hmmm... Sandman, given the conditions. I think you left one lesson out. Don't go in when it's too rough!!! Glad you all made it in safe. It can real serious in a hurry trying to land in a big swell...

Sounds like a crazy day, guys!
Too bad the fishing was so slow. Chris came over to my house afterwards and we shared fishing stories.

I had 2 newbies with me so I decided to launch elsewhere. At the time, I felt like a wimp...but now I'm sure that it was the right decision. We launched from the beach on the south side of Pt Pinos. Its about a mile north of Asilomar. Flat calm with minor ankle slappers.
The fishing was extremely slow. Slowest I have ever experienced. I think that area is overfished because there were a ton of boats out there yesterday. After we came back in, Jeff decided he needed redemption so he launched at the Coastguard jetty and caught 20+ fish in 2 hours. Dang...guess I should've just went there.

I guess there's a reason why so many surfers love Asilomar....good surf!
PK

These devices are our friends at a day like this:
1) Submersible VHF radio. It is proven to work after dumped.
2) GPS. It tells where you are heading, even when fog is thick. You can't rely on the coast line always. In the morning we went out and it was sunny. Thick fog was rolling in late. For some periods of time we even didn't see each other, although we were a few hundred yards away on the water.
3) Fish finder. It tells shallow reef and rocks beneath. It helps you to prepare and stay out of certain areas.
4) Most importantly, your buddies. 

After landing, I transported gears and fish to parking spot. One lady came to me and asked, "you guys (our kayak fishermen) are not afraid of sharks?" "Well, we are afraid, but enjoy the sports and take chances.", I replied. I was curious why she asked this question. She pointed at the shark warning sign next to our cars. 

Ton of surfers are on this beach. What would they say?

Asilomar is famous for a one-bite fatality. shark estimated 25 feet based on bit radius that removed complete right side of surfer's torso and board in a single bite.

7000lb shark.

I surfed it once in the winter, pretty darn fun.

John

It was a slow day but did OK using a Sackyak inspired rig, 8 rockfish (kept 2 blues, 1 gopher, 1 greenling) 4 released. Never launched and landed from a tide pool in surf so that was exciting (scary, really scary). The tidepool had a narrow slot entrance and ended up running aground in 1 foot of water but in general a good landing. I was glad I had a helmet with me. Had trouble hooking up with Sandman since he landed in Spanish Bay but hiked his gear back to Asilomar. Luckily the guy at the 17 mile toll road booth didn't charge me the $9 to pick Gary up.  My memory card malfunctioned so I lost my photos.  It was fun fishing with the NCKA guys and as always I learn something new every trip.

Etienne - Thanks for letting me follow you in through the surf. You really have the timing down and are a great wing man.

Gary - It was good carpooling with you and sorry about the rod and reel. Thanks for the artichoke hearts, they were muy bueno. Don't worry about me missing my dinner date.

Chris - Thanks for sharing your spot with us. I had a great time. Sorry about the lost tackle.

Scott

BTW - Dave pulled off an amazing 180 degree pivot on a 3 ft wave with rocks on either side when landing his P15 before catching the lip and flipping. As an ex-surfer, I was thinking that would have been hard on a surf board no less a 15 foot yak. Way to hang Dave.

Scott

You might have had a couple hours of fishable water at Molera yesterday.  We gave it a shot and it was pretty nice in the morning but the wind came up around 9:45am and started whipping pretty hard. 

My buddy that was h&l fishing didn't do that great due to the wind.  He caught some olives and blues but no reds or lings.  We (the freedivers) did OK with a few reds from 3.5-6lbs.

When we first jumped in, the reds were pretty active but as soon as the wind swell came up, they all disappeared into the cracks and caves.

The exit was nothing like last week; two of us got rolled in the surf.  Hehe.

Ken

BTW - Dave pulled off an amazing 180 degree pivot on a 3 ft wave with rocks on either side when landing his P15 before catching the lip and flipping. As an ex-surfer, I was thinking that would have been hard on a surf board no less a 15 foot yak. Way to hang Dave.

Scott

Yeah, yeah.  If only I could reproduce it at will. 

Some key memories from yesterday:

• seeing the shark warning sign and thinking "Marina is miles and miles away", "none of us are pedaling", and other "rationalize this, rationalize that's"
• listening to Etienne talk Eric in, and Eric, in a plaintive voice asking "Are you sure?  I don't like this..."
• having Gary/Sandman call out on his radio "I've capsized!!  If there's any one near, I could use some assistance", as I realize I'm the only option
• paddling the mile back to where I thought Gary was, and hearing a 'pop' / 'slap' behind me.  I turned around and saw splashes, but saw no kayak (surely I would have seen a kayak if it were Gary, right?).  Turned the yak around, padded closer, and thought about that shark warning sign with a shudder
• gladly discovering it was a large sea lion slapping the water for some reason
• repeatedly calling out to Gary on the radio, and hearing no reply
• a friendly powerboater calling back and asking if he could help out in anyway
• finally seeing Gary emerge from the water ashore, hearing my shouts, waving, and then getting on the radio with an "I'm OK!!"
• having Etienne talk me in through the rock chute.  You know you're in deep when the guy on shore is saying "Ummm, you better watch this next one."  I rode out 2 large waves (this was in the 'quiet window' mind you), letting the first just slip beneath me and bracing successfully on the second.  The third wasn't any bigger than others, but somehow was different -- I braced the same way, but this time it pushed me sideways, and as I kept bracing, spun me not quite 180 degrees before deciding enough fun, and flipped me.
• seeing the broken screen on my Optio, which was stowed inside the bow of my kayak in a waterproof pouch.  I guess the 12volt, contained in tupperware, managed to land on it to crack the screen

Next time Etienne, I need to get you some of those orange sticks the maintenance guys use when waving the 747s in!!

Thanks to Chris for sharing this beautiful spot, great meeting Scott and Gary, good seeing you Etienne, and always fun fishing with you, Eric.  I will truly savor the taste of the 5 fish I kept.

-- Dave